McBain's new contract, a three-year deal, does not begin until next season. In the meantime, he is expected to sign a professional tryout agreement with Albany of the AHL, where he will spend the rest of this season. Albany has 10 regular season games remaining.

The Hurricanes chose McBain with the 63rd overall pick in the 2006 draft. He was actually the first player chosen by the team that year, as their first round pick went to St. Louis as part of the Doug Weight trade.

Following that pick, McBain (6’2”, 200 lbs.) went on to have a very successful three years for Hurricanes winger Patrick Eaves’ father, Head Coach Mike Eaves, at the University of Wisconsin. This season, he finished second among all Division I defensemen in scoring, was named the WCHA Player of the Year and is among the final 10 nominees for the Hobey Baker award as NCAA Player of the Year.

After a season like he had this year, it appears McBain and the Hurricanes both felt he had nothing left to prove at the college level. As an offensive defenseman, he scored seven goals and 30 assists this season. The Canes believe he has the talent to translate that production to the professional level, although blueliners typically take a bit longer to develop. It will be interesting to see what he does with Albany for the remainder of this season.